The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, and the ongoing military operations in the region continue to severely disrupt global ocean shipping.
Iran has maintained its closure of the waterway, with vessel traffic through the Strait significantly reduced compared to pre-conflict levels. Major carriers, including CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC), and A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S continue to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10-14 days to transit times.
In Africa, ports continue to face elevated wait times largely as a combination of infrastructure constraints and an increase in diverted vessel transiting the Cape of Good Hope route.
In Asia & Oceania, ports continue to report stable conditions with localized disruptions. Panama-flagged vessels have experienced an uptick in detentions at Chinese ports, with at least 28 vessels detained between March 8-12. Tropical Cyclone Narelle led to port closures and disruptions across north-western Australia.
In Europe, a strike at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, disrupted operations with as many as 90 vessels impacted.
In the Americas, the Port of Santos, Brazil, continues to face the highest wait times in the region due to elevated cargo volumes and ongoing berth constraints.
Regional Summaries
Africa
Ports in Africa continue to face elevated average wait times driven by infrastructure constraints and an increase in vessel traffic transiting the Cape of Good Hope as carriers divert from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
The highest average wait times in the region were recorded at the Port of Conakry, Guinea, which saw average wait times of 15 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with high yard density, slow operations, and an ongoing backlog on the berth line-up contributing to the congestion.
The Port of Banjul, The Gambia, is facing average wait times of 7.5 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with long-term congestion causing persistent berth delays.
The Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is facing average wait times of 7.4 days according to Kuehne + Nagel, with the DPW Terminal reporting severe delays of up to 8 days due to gate and road congestion.
The Port of Beira, Mozambique, is facing average wait times of 7 days, according to Everstream Analytics.
The Port of Mombasa, Kenya, is facing average wait times of 5.2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with equipment shortages, vessel bunching, and high transshipment volumes as the leading drivers of congestion, according to Hapag-Lloyd.
Asia & Oceania
Ports across Asia & Oceania continue to report stable congestion metrics with average wait times remaining largely positive. The highest average wait times in the region were recorded at the Port of Shanghai, China, with average wait times of 2.2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, and at the Port of Fremantle, Australia, with average wait times of 2.2 days, according to Everstream Analytics.
Kuehne + Nagel reports that the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, is experiencing average wait times of 1.9 days.
The Port of Sydney, Australia, is facing average wait times of 1.7 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
The ports of Qingdao and Yantian, China, are each reporting average wait times of 1.5 days, while the Port of Ningbo, China, is facing average wait times of 1.4 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Middle East & South Asia
Ports in the Middle East and South Asia continue to face severe disruptions as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, effectively halting vessel traffic to and from ports in the Persian Gulf. The highest average wait times in the region were recorded at the Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, with average wait times of 4.3 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with heavy congestion reported by Hapag-Lloyd.
The Port of Mundra, India, is facing average wait times of 3.8 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, and Hapag-Lloyd also reported increased congestion.
The Port of Salalah, Oman, and the Port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are both facing average wait times of 3.5 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Kuehne + Nagel reports that the Port of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is facing average wait times of 1.6 days.
The Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is reporting average wait times of 1.1 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, however, the port will likely see further delays in the next few weeks due to seasonal inclement weather impacts, according to Hapag-Lloyd.
Europe
Ports in Europe are experiencing moderate levels of congestion. The highest average wait times for the region were recorded at the Port of Valencia, Spain, with average wait times of 2.6 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. The Port of Barcelona, Spain, is also facing average wait times of 2.6 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, and a seven-week closure of the Rubi tunnel has halted all rail freight movement. Hapag-Lloyd reports that this has significantly increased congestion and extended transit times.
The Port of Antwerp, Belgium, is facing average wait times of 2.4 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with high yard utilization.
Kuehne + Nagel reports that the Port of Le Havre, France, is experiencing average wait times of 2.1 days.
The Port of Felixstowe, United Kingdom, is facing average wait times of 2.1 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, and Hapag-Lloyd reports heavy congestion.
The Ports of Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Algeciras, Spain, are both facing average wait times of 1.8 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Americas
Average wait times for ports in North America remained largely positive on the whole. The highest average wait time in the region was recorded at the Port of Savannah, United States, with average wait times of 2.3 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, driven by intermittent river closures due to fog.
The Port of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, is facing average wait times of 2.1 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with continued high yard utilization.
The Port of New York, United States, is reporting average wait times of 1.6 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with Hapag-Lloyd reporting recent disruptions due to high winds.
In South America, average wait times were more elevated than in North America. The highest average wait time in the region was recorded at the Port of Santos, Brazil, with average wait times of 4.9 days, according to Everstream Analytics, with high cargo volumes and ongoing berth constraints contributing to the congestion. Everstream Analytics reports that the Port of Paranaguá, Brazil, is facing average wait times of 3.8 days.
The Port of Buenaventura, Colombia, is facing average wait times of 2.4 days, according to Everstream Analytics, with Hapag-Lloyd reporting high yard utilization.
The Port of Montevideo, Uruguay, is experiencing average wait times of 1.92 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
The Port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, is facing average wait times of 1.5 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with Hapag-Lloyd reporting high yard utilization and low productivity.
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